88 STAT. ]
PUBLIC LAW 93-640-JAN. 4, 1975
(c) The members of the Commission shall select a chairman from among their own number. The Commission shall first meet on a date specified by the Secretary, not later than 30 days after the Commission is established, and thereafter shall meet at the call of the Chairman of the Commission (but not less often than three times). (d) The Director of the National Institute of Ai-thritis. Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases shall— (1) designate a member of the staff of such Institute to act as Executive Secretary of the Commission, and (2) provide the Commission with such full-time professional and clerical staff, such information, and the services of such consultants as may be necessary to assist it in carrying out effectively its function under this section. (e) Members of the Commission who are officers or employees of the Federal Government shall serve as members of the Commission without compensation in addition to that received in their regular public employment. Members of the Commission who are not officers or employees of the Federal Government shall each receive the daily equivalent of the rate in effect for grade GS-18 of the General Schedule for each day (including traveltime) they are engaged in the performance of their duties as members of the Commission. All members, while so serving away from their homes or regular places of business, may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as such expenses are authorized by section 6703, title 5, United States Code, for persons in the Government service employed intermittently. (f) The Commission shall survey Federal, State, and local health programs and activities relating to arthritis and assess the adequacy, technical soundness, and coordination of such programs and activities. All Federal departments and agencies administering health programs and activities relating to arthritis shall provide such cooperation and assistance relating to such progra]:ns and activities as is reasonably necessary for the Commission to make such survey and assessment. (g) The Commission shall formulate a long-range plan (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Arthritis Plan") with specific recommendations for the use and organization of national resources to combat arthritis. The Arthritis Plan shall be based on a survey investigating the incidence and prevalence of arthritis and its economic and social consequences, and on an evaluation of scientific information respecting, and the national resources capable of dealing with arthritis. The Arthritis Plan shall include a comprehensive program for the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Institute") and plans for Federal, State, and local programs, which program and programs shall, as appropriate, provide for— (1) investigation into the epidemiology, etiology, and prevention and control of arthritis, including the social, environmental, behavioral, nutritional, and biological control of arthritis; (2) studies and research into the basic biological processes and mechanisms involved with arthritis, including abnormalities of the immune, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, urogenital, pulmonary, and nervous systems, the skin, and the eyes; (3) research into the development, trial, and evaluation of techniques, orthopedic and other surgical procedures, and drugs (including drugs intended for use by children) used in the diagnosis, early detection, treatment, prevention, and control of arthritis; (4) programs that will apply scientific and technological methodologies and processes involving biological, physical, and engi-
2219 Chairman.
Director, National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive D i s e a s e s, duties.
Compensation.
5 USC 5332 note.
Federal, State, and local health programs, survey.
Arthritis P l a n.
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